Thank you for your interest in starting a new club. You may submit a petition to start a club during any of the petition windows posted below.
Cal Poly will accept petitions and bylaw submissions during the following dates:
Petitions and bylaws must be submitted on or prior to the last day to submit for consideration during that quarter. All petitioners and the prospective advisor must vote in favor of the petition before the deadline to indicate their support.
If my petition is accepted, am I good to go?
Once the committee determines your Petition for University Recognition and bylaws are in order, you will receive an email notification to have your President/Primary Contact register the organization through Cal Poly Now. Once the registration is approved, the organization is fully recognized.
Does your prospective club have clearly defined learning outcomes? Could it have a strong connection to a college or department at Cal Poly? If so, take a look at the criteria for recognition as an Instructionally Related Activity (IRA).
For the average student, a club and an IRA may look similar, but for you as a potential leader of the organization, they would behave differently. Whereas a club can act independently, serving any number of interests, an IRA will work closely with a college or department, benefiting from support in the form of funds, facility use, and supplies. It's a good idea to explore both options before petitioning for recognition because a group cannot occupy dual status as a club and an IRA.
